When to Plant New Zealand Spinach in Alamosa County, CO
Alamosa County, Colorado gardeners: here's your May plan
Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
Looking ahead to June
- Transplants going out: new zealand spinach
- Direct-sowing: new zealand spinach
New Zealand spinach is a heat-tolerant ground-cover plant with thick, triangular leaves that taste similar to true spinach. It thrives in hot weather when regular spinach bolts.
Alamosa County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.
At an elevation of 8,366 feet, Alamosa County receives approximately 18.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of New Zealand Spinach to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing New Zealand Spinach successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Alamosa County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Alamosa County
How your county's soil matches New Zealand Spinach's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) overlaps with New Zealand Spinach's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Alamosa County is excellent for New Zealand Spinach — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help New Zealand Spinach.
How to Plant New Zealand Spinach
Succession Planting New Zealand Spinach
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for New Zealand Spinach
New Zealand Spinach needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | New Zealand Spinach Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Alamosa County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
New Zealand Spinach Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
New Zealand Spinach Planting Timeline — Alamosa County, CO
New Zealand Spinach Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 14 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 |
| Direct Sow | June 7 | Jun 7 – Jun 28 |
| Harvest | August 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
55–70 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
111 days in Alamosa County
Growing Tips for New Zealand Spinach in Alamosa County
Direct sow New Zealand Spinach outdoors after May 31 in Alamosa County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Alamosa County receives only 18" of rain annually. New Zealand Spinach needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
Soak seeds overnight before planting. Direct sow after last frost. Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and tender new leaves.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
New Zealand Spinach in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant New Zealand Spinach in Alamosa County, CO?
Alamosa County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your New Zealand Spinach planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Alamosa County, CO?
Alamosa County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 19.
Your Alamosa County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Alamosa County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.